HANCOCK S 



INDOOR BASE BALL 

GUIDE. 



COMPLETE INSTRUCTIOKS FOR PLAYING, WITH 
DESCRIPTION OF THE MATERIAL USED. 



'^^^^'t^ til, 'j^-(X/vxx>i>^cXy 



PRICE, 15 CENi;^%pVRiGH i 




CHICAGO. 

George W. Hancock, PubiiISHER. 

1891. 






Entered Hccording to Act of Congress in the 
yeiir 1890, Toy George W. Hancock. 



Indoor Base Ball. 



IISTKODUCTOKY. 

The game of Indoor Base Ball was iuvented in 
Chieago in 1887, and came about through a frolic among 
the members of the Farragut Club who in a spirit of fun on 
Thanksgiving day of that year, threw an ordinary boxing 
glove around the hall which was struck at by one of the boys 
with a broom. Some twenty members had assembled as 
usual on holidays, and George W. Hancock, seeing the possi- 
bility of a new sport said in a bantering way, "Say, boys, let's 
play base ball," and the wrestling mat was hauled around 
cornerwise and a broom obtained. One of the boxing gloves 
was used for a ball, and with the boj's in position they com- 
menced their sport without rule or wisdom, but there was 
great fun, and when the afternoon had closed, Mr. Hancock 
gathered the members around him and unfolded a plan which 
had occured to him as the players were sliding around the 
hall. 

"I believe this affair can be worked into a regular game of 
base ball which can be played indoors, and if you will all 
come down Saturday night I'll make up some rules and have 
a ball and bat which will suit the purpose of the sport and 
do no damage to the suiToun dings." 

It was thus that Mr. Hancock gained the title of "father 
of indoor ball," for he went home and thought out some 
rules that would equalize the different points of the game, 
and directed Augustus J. White how to make a ball which 
could be seen at night and fill all the requirements of the 
game. 

And so the sport was evolved. 

The first contest between two nines chosen from among 
the Farragut members was one of the funniest perfoimances 



INTEODUCTOKY. 



ever witnessed, and the members and visitors went home 
loud in their praises of indoor base ball. Owing to the new- 
ness of the game and consequent inexperience of those who 
played, the score ran, oftentimes, into large figures, the first 
record being 41 to 40. As the play of the athletes improved 
the result was much smaller figures and more on the profes- 
sional basis of base ball, until now with numerous clubs and 
leagues all over the country, the game has reached a scien- 
tific standpoint hitherto unsuspected of fulfillment. 

It can be played in any hall of size which will permit 
of sufficient light and room for the diamond and fielding 
the composition of the floor being immaterial as the rubber 
soled shoes required to be worn will allow running on even 
the waxed floor of a dancing hall. About the smallest size 
for a playing floor is 40 x 60 feet. A larger surface will of 
course allow greater freedom of fielding and running. The 
spectators are usually placed in the right and left field, on 
either side of the catcher's territory, and in galleries, accord- 
ing to the construction of the room used for play. 

The regulations and rules are made to equalize the differ- 
ence of size and surroundings from outdoor base ball and 
have been found to work satisfactorily in making up a sport 
which is both popular and exhilarating. 



RULES 



FOE 



INDOOR BASE BALL 



Rule 1. 

The diamond is laid at one end of the hall leaving 
room for the catcher who always plays close behind the 
batsman. The bases (except the home plate) are li feet 
square, made of canvas, half-filled with sand or other similar 
substance. The home plate is of rubber and is one foot 
square. Each side of the diamond is 27 feet long and a base 
is placed iu each corner and need not be fastened to the floor 
The distance fi'om home to second base, and from first to 
third base, is 37^ feet. The pitcher's box is 6 x 3 feet, to be 
marked with chalk or some apparatus on the floor, the 
nearest line of said box to be 22 feet from the center of home 
base. The batsman's box (one to the left and one to the 
right of home base) shall be 4 feet long and 3 feet wide 
extending one foot in front of and three feet behind a center 
liue through the home base with its nearest side distant six 
inches from the home base, the outlines to be marked 
on the floor. 

, Rule 3.— The Foul Lines. 

The foul lines must be drawn in straight lines from the 
outer corner of the home base, along the outer edge of 
the first and third bases to the boundaries of the ground 
so that the bases shall come within the diamond. 

Rule 3.— The Ball. 

The ball must be 17 inches in circumference, made of 
a yielding substance, 8^ ounces in weight, and covered 
with a white skin; should it become ripped or torn dming 
a game a new one must be substituted. 



BUliES FOB 



Kule 4.— The Bat. 

The bat must be 2| feet long and not larger than 1| 
inches in diameter in the largest part, and must have a 
rubber tip on the handle to prevent slipping. It must be 
made otherwise of wood except that a metal rod not 
larger in diameter than one- eighth of an inch may be 
passed through the center the entire length of the bat. 
The handle may be wound with string. 

Kule 5. — The Players. 

Nine or eight players must constitute a side. The 
players' positions shall be such as shall be assigned them 
by their captain, except that the pitcher must take his 
position within the pitcher's lines. When iu position on the 
field, all players will be designated as "fielders" in these 
rules. 

Rule 6.— The Pitcher. 

The pitcher shall take his position facing the batsman 
with both feet on the ground, wholly within the box. He 
shall not make more than one step in the act of delivering 
the ball. He shall hold the ball, before the delivery, fairly 
m front of his body, and in sight of the umpire. Only 
straight -armed pitching in which the arm and hand swing 
parallel with the body, will be allowed, and the ball is not to 
be curved, the so-called up-shoot being considered illegal, 

Kule 7.— The Game, 

A game shall consist of nine innings to each contesting 
club, except that, if the side first at bat scores less runs in 
nine innings than the other side has scored in eight innings, 
the game shall then terminate; or, if the side last at bat in the 
ninth inning scores the winning run before the third man is 
out, the game shall terminate. 

Kule 8.— A Tie Game. 

If the score be a tie at the end of nine innings to each 
side, play shall only be coatinued until the side first at bat 
shall have scored one or more runs than the other side in an 



INDOOE BASE BALIi. 



equal number of innings, or until the other side shall score 
one or more runs than the side first at bat, 

Rule 9. — A Forfeited Game. 

A forfeited game shall be declared by the umpire in favor 
of the club not in fault, at the request of such club, in the 
following cases: 

(a.) If the nine of a club fails to appear upon the field, or 
being upon the field fails to begin the game within one minute 
after the umpire has called "play" at the hour appointed 
for the beginning of the game, unless such d6lay in appearing 
or in commencing the game be unavoidable. 

(b.) If, after the game has begun, one side refuses or fails 
to continue playing, unless such game has been suspended or 
terminated by the umpire. 

Rule 10.— Sutostitutes. 

The base runner shall not have a substitute run for him, 
except by consent of the captains of the contesting teams. 

Rule 11.— Choice of Innings. 

The choice of innings shall be decided bj flipping a coin. 

Rule 13.— Good and Bad Balls. 

A ball legally delivered by the pitcher which passes over any 
part of the home base, not lower than the batsman's knee or 
higher than his shoulder, is a good ball. Otherwise it is a 
bad ball. 

Rule 13.— Balks. 

A motion to deliver the ball by the pitcher without doing 
so, or holding the ball so long as to unnecessarily delay the 
game, constitutes a balk. 

Rule 14.— Illegal Balls. 

A ball delivered by the pitcher with any part of his person 
out of the box, or with a curve, is an illegal pitch, and entitles 
any base runners and the batsman to a base. 



BULES FOR 



Rule 15.— Dead Balls. 

Any pitched ball striking the batter is a dead ball, but 
does not entitle him to a base. If it should be the third 
strike the batter is out, and no base can be run on that ball. 

Rule 16 Not in Play. 

In case of a foul strike, foul hife ball not legally caught 
out, dead ball, or base runner put out for being struck by a 
fair hit ball, the ball shall not be considered in play until it is 
held by the pitcher standing in his box. 

Rule 17.— Block Balls. 

A block is a batted or thrown ball that is stopped or 
handled by any person not engaged in the game. 

(a.) Whenever a block occurs, base runners may run the 
bases without being put out, until the ball has been returned 
to and held by the pitcher standing in his box. 

(b.) In the case of a block, if a person not engaged in the 
game should retain possession of the ball, or throw or kick it 
beyond the reach of the fielders, the umpire should call 
"time," and require each base runner to stop at the last base 
touched by him until the ball be returned to the pitcher 
standing in his box. 

(c.) Special ground rules may be made allowing a certain 
number of bases on a fair hit into the crowd, in which case 
the above sections are void. 

Rule 18.— The Scoring of Runs. 

One run shall be scored every time a base runner after 
having legally touched the first three bases, shall touch the 
home base before three men are put out. If the third man is 
forced out, or is put out before reaching first base, a run 
shall not be scored. 

Rule 19.— Fair and Foul Balls. 

(a.) A batted ball which strikes inside or on the foul line 
is fair, the first point of contact with the floor, object or 
fielder, deciding, regardless of where it afterwards rolls. 

(b.) A batted ball first striking outside the foul lines shall 
be foul. 



INDOOR BASE BALL. 



Kule 30.— Strikes. 



(a.) A strike is a ball struck at by the batsman without its 
touching his bat; or, 

(b.) A good ball, legally delivered by the pitcher, but not 
struck at by the batsman. 

Rule 31. -Foul Strikes. 

A foul strike is a ball batted by the batsman when any 
part of his person is upon ground outside the lines of the 
batsman's position. 

Rule 33.— The Ratsman is Out. 

(a.) The batsman is out, if he bats out of turn and makes 
a fair hit before the error is discovered. 

(b.) If he fails to take his position within one minute after 
the umpire has called for the batsman. 

(c.) If he makes a foul hit, or foul tip, and the ball be 
held by a fielder before touching the ground or any wall or 
fixture. 

(d.) If he makes a foul strike. 

(e.) If he attempts to hinder the catcher from fielding the 
ball, evidently without effort to make a fair hit. 

(f ,> If, while the first base be occupied by a base runner, 
he has three strikes, except when two men are already out. 

Rule 33.— Rase Running-. 

The batsman becomes a base runner, 

(a.) Instantly after he makes a fair hit. 

(b.) Instantly after four balls have been called by the 
umpire. 

(c.) Instantly after- three strikes, 

(d.) Instantly after the umpire declares an illegal delivery 
of a ball by the pitcher, which includes a curve, or being out 
of his box. 

Rule 34. — R»ses to be Touched. 

The base runner must touch each base in regular order, 
viz: First, second, third and home base; but when obliged to 
return may go directly to the base which he legally holds. 



iO , BUIiES FOE 



Rule 35.— Entitled to Bases. 

The base runner shall be entitled, without being put out, 
to take one base in the following cases : 

(■a.) If while he was batsman, the umpire called four balls, 

(b.) If the umpire awards a succeeding batsman a base on 
four balls or in case of an illegal delivery, and the base run- 
ner is thereby forced to vacate the base held by him. 
c. ) If the umpire calls a "balk" or "illegal pitch." 

(d ) If a ball delivered by the pitcher pass the catcher or 
is fumbled, only one base may be taken, provided the runner 
make it, unless it is the third strike or fourth ball when the 
batsman is entitled to all he can get. 

(e.) If the pitcher does not give him time to return to his 
base. 

(f.) If upon a fair hit the ball strikes the person or cloth- 
ing of the umpire on fair grounds. 

(g.) If he be prevented from making a base by the 
obstruction of an adversary, 

(h) If when he was batsman the pitcher delivered an 
"illegal ball." 

Kule 36.— Wlien to Start 

(a.) A base runner must not leave his base when the 
pitcher holds the ball standing m his box, 

(b.) A base runner must not leave his base on a pitched 
ball not struck, until after it has reached or passed the 
catcher on penalty of being called back, 

(c.) A base runner must be on his base when the pitcher 

is ready to deliver the ball to the batsman, 

[Starting too soon does not exempt a base runner from being 
put out on that particular play. The umpire must not make a 
aecision in regard to a premature start until a hase runner has 
reached the next base or is put out.] 

Kule 3 7.— Returning to. Bases. 

The base runner shall return to his base, and shall be 
entitled to so retura without being put out, 

(a.) If the umpire declares a foul hit which is not legally 
caught by a fielder. 

(bo) If the umpire declares a foul strike. 



INDOOE BASii, BALIi. 11 

(c.) If the umpire declares a dead ball. 
(d.) If the person or clothing of the umpu'e is struck by 
a ball thrown by the catcher to intercept a base runner. 

(e,) If he is called back by the umpire for starting too 



soon. 



Rule 38.— A Base Runner is Out. 



(a.) If, having made a fair hit while batsman, such fair 
hit ball be held by a fielder before touching the ground, wall 
or any fixture. 

(b.) If he intentionally kicks or interferes with a ball he 
has just batted. 

[If a ball lie has just batted rebounds and lilts him he shall 
not be declared out on that account.] 

(c.) If the third strike be caught before touching the 
ground or any object. 

(d.) If, after three strikes or a fair hit, he be touched 
with the ball in the hands of a fielder before such base run- 
ner touches first base. 

fe.) If, after three strikes oir-a fair hit, the ball be securely 
held by a fielder while touching first base with any part of 
his person, before such base runner touches first base. 

(f.) If, in running from first to second base, from second 
to third base, or from third to home base, he runs more than 
three feet from a direct line between such bases to avoid 
being touched by a ball in the hands of a fielder; but in case 
a fielder be occupying a base runner's proper path, attempt- 
ing to field a batted ball, then the base runner shall run out 
of the path and shall not be declared out for so doing. 

(g.) If he fails to avoid a fielder attempting to field a 
batted ball, or if he in any way obstructs a fielder attempting 
to field a batted ball, or intentionally interferes with a thrown 
ball. 

(h.) If, at any time while the ball is in play, he be 
touched b}^ the ball iu the hands of a fielder, unless some 
part of his person is touching a base he is entitled to occupy; 
provided, the ball be held by the fielder after touching him; 
but — exception as to first base— in running to first base, he 
may overrun said base without being put out for being oft 



1? BULES FOE 



said base, after first touching it, provided he returns at once 
and retouches the base, after which ho may be put out as at 
any other base. If, in overrunning first base, he also 
attempts to run to second base, he shall forfeit such exemp- 
tion from being put out. 

( i.) If, when a fair or foul fly is legally caught, such ball is 
legally held by a fielder on the base occupied by the base 
runner when suoh ball was struck, or the base runner be 
touched with the ball in the hands of a fielder, before he 
retouches said base after such fair or foul hit ball was so 
caught. 

(j. j If a f au' hit ball strikes him before touching a fielder, 
and in such case no base shall be run unless forced by the 
batsman becoming a base runner, and no run shall be scored. 

(k.) If when running to a base he fail to touch the inter- 
vening base or bases in regular order, he may be put out at 
the base he fails to touch, or by being touched by the ball in 
the hands of a fielder, in the same manner as in running to 
fii'st base. 

Rule 39.— Turn Either Way. 

In returning to first base after overrunning, the base 
runner may turn either way. 

Kule 30. — Safely on a Base. 

A base runner is safely on a base if he slides with the 
hag and clings to it; or, if any part of his person is touching 
the spot where the bag should be; or, he is safe if he has 
touched the home base or where the base should be. 

[If, in sliding with the bag at any base, he should stop, he 
must then return with the. bag to the proper spot before starting 
for another base, the same as in overrunning first base.] 

Rule 31.— Coaching Rules. 

Two coachers are restricted in coaching to the base run- 
jiers only, and are not allowed to address any remarks except 
to the base runners and then only in words of necessary direc- 
tion. They must not stand within three feet of a base or base 
line. To enforce the above, the captain of the opposite side 



INDOOE BASE BALL. Td 

may call the atteutiou of the umpire to the offense, and upon a 
repetition of the same the player shall be debaiTed from 
further coaching during the game. 

Rule 32.— Suitable Shoes. 

Only shoes with rubber soles or other soft material shall ba 
used. 

Rule 33.— Pitcher Must Wait. 

When a base runner is legally entitled to return to a base, 
the pitcher must wait a reasonable time for him to reach the 
base on penalty of giving the base runner another base for 
violation. 

Rule 34. — Umpires. 

(a. ) The umpires are masters of the field from the com- 
mencement to the termination of the game, and are entitled 
to the respect of the spectators, and any person offering any 
insult or injury to either of them must be promptly ejected 
from the room by those in charge. 

(b.) The umpires must compel the players to observe the 
provisions of all the playing rules, and are hereby invested 
with authority to order any player to do or omit to do any 
act as they mav deem necessary to give force and effect to 
any and all of such provisions. 

(c.) There shall be two umpires who shall take suitable 
positions on the field for observing *he plays which they are 
to judge. 

(d.) No. 1 shall decide upon and call all balls, strikes, 
blocks, dead balls, balks, illegal deliveries, fair hits, foul hits, 
foul strikes, all questions arising at home plate, and shall 
call play or time. 

(e.) No. 2 shall judge all base plays except those at the 
home plate. 

(f .) The umpires shall be sole judges of the play and 
discussion will only be allowed on correct interpretation of 
the rules, and not on any optional decision. All such dis- 
cussions restricted to the two captains. 



14 EUXiES FOE 



(g.) The two umpires shall change positions at the end of 
every full inning. Umpires shall not be chosen from the two 
clubs contesting. 

(h.) In case an umpire for some reason cannot decide a 
play he may refer to his colleague. They shall ask the captain 
of the home team whether there are any special ground rules 
to be enf orceel, and if there are, they shall see that they are 
duh^ enforced, provided they do not conflict with any of 
these rules. 

(i.) The umpire must keep the contesting nines playing 
constantly from the commencement of the game to its 
termlDatiou, allowing such delays only as are rendered un- 
avoidable by accident or injury. Thej^ must, until the 
completion of the game, require the players of each side to 
promptly take their positions in the field as soon as the third 
man is put out, and must require the first striker of the 
opposite side to be in his position at the bat as soon as the 
fielders are in their places. 

Rule 35.— Calling "Play" and "Time." 

(a.) The umpire designated No. 1 must call "play" promptly 
at the hour designated by the home club, and on the call of 
"play"' the game must immediately begin. "When he calls 
"time" play shall be suspended until he calls ''play" again, 
and during the interim no player shall be put out, base be run, 
or run be scored. The umpire shall suspend play only for an 
accident to himself or a plaj'er (but in case of accident to a 
fielder, "time" shall not be called until the ball be returned to, 
and held by the pitcher, standing iu his box.) 

(b.) "Time" must not be called for trivial causes. The 
practice of players suspending the game to discuss or contest 
a decision with either umpire, is a gross violation of the rules 
and the umpire must not allow it. 

(c.) If a player wilfully disobey the cautions of the um- 
pires in regard to violations of the rules, he may, at the dis- 
cretion of the umpires, be ordered out of the game and his 
place be filled if such decision reduce the side to less than 
eight players. 



[NDOOE BASE BALL. 15 



GENEKAL DEFINITIONS. 

"Play" is the order of the umpire to begiu the game or to 
resume play after its suspension. 

"Time" is the order of the umpire to suspend play. Such 
suspension must not extend beyond the day of tlie game. 

"Game" is the announcement hy the umpire that the 
game is terminated. 

"An inning" is a term at tho bat of the players represent- 
ing a club in a game, and is completed when three of such 
players have been put oiit, as provided in these rules. 

"A time at bat" is the term at bat of a batsmau. It be- 
gins v^'hen he takes his position, au^d continues until he is put 
out or becomes a base ruuuer. 

"A foul tip" is included in a "foul hit." 

SCORING. 

There are three columns in scoring indoor base ball. The 
first contams the number of runs made by each player during 
the game; the second, the number of times he has been put 
out; the third, the total number of bases reached by a player 
in whatever manner during the game. The columns are 
headed; E. (runs), (outs), T (totals). 



Adopted by the Midwinter Indoor Base Ball 
League, Chicago, Dec. 3, 1890. 



Adopted by the Bankers' Indoor Base Ball 
League, Chicago, Dec. 4, 1890. 



Adopted by the Chicago Indoor Base Ball 
League, Dec. 13, 1890. 



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